Pens force game 7

Breathe.....Breathe.....

Oh My Freaking GOD.

What we witnessed tonight was one of the most insane games I've seen in recent memory. The Pens take game 6...barely.
But we'll take it.

This was the easy game. Now comes the hard one for all the marbles. Please please please let the Fleury that showed up tonight play on Friday. This is the ONLY way the Pens will win.

If you would have told me that the Pens were to win this game without Sid and Geno registering any points, I would have laughed at you.


By the way - did Sid even play tonight....?
And why the hell did he play only 18 minutes...?

Maxime Talbot played almost 2 minutes more that Sidney Crosby in game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.

What up wit dat?

Sid better show up in Detroit - he doesn't have any points in Detroit so far this series - that trend can not continue.

Staal was a freaking beast out there tonight....WOW. It's games like this that really show why he was a #2 overall pick...

Fleury was spectacular - good to see after a rough game Saturday.

Scuderi = big reason we didn't loose 4-2



Gonchar - I'm thinking he's still injured, because he's quite simply sucked hard for most of this series.

Orpik - I know what was on your mind at the time of this picture - you were thinking of taking 2 minutes for a cross check to Babcocks big coconut.


The best thing about tonights game - other than the Pens winning tonight - is the fact that the Wings and Marian Hossa didn't hoist the Cup on Pittsburgh ice.

Now the Pens have a chance to hoist the Cup on Detroit ice.

I still want to get drunk and piss on an inflatable octopus.

More to come tomorrow

15 down - 1 to go!

GO PENS

Pens respond at home 4-2

Thank God for Max Talbot




Mad Max did his best Mario Lemieux impression in the third period - total force. He hit he post, and looked like he was ona mission. He also scored the empty netter which is huge - especially against the Wings.

Honestly, I was a little worried after the second period - Detroit dominated ,and you just knew if they scored there was a very good chance they would win.

But Pittsburgh came out guns a blazing, and they earned a power play with their continuous pressure.


Gonchar finally did something other than give the puck away, and blasted a shot from the line for the winner.

It was nice to see Osgood give up weak goal (Letang) and look up to the heavens after a softie.



It seemed the breaks started going the way of the Pens, after getting away with 6 men on the ice for 20 seconds, and a few hit posts by the Wings.

About freaking time

Other notables:

Geno with 3 points and a huge blocked shot late in the third period when the game was in doubt ...another thing you won't see Ovechkin do.

Kunitz with 11 hits.....11 !

Cooke with 5 epic hits - momentum changers.

Letang with 2 big points - and to think he was almost replaced with Boucher before the game.

If the Pens can win the next game at home, they could actually have the momentum going back to Detroit....That's a pretty big if, but they're doing everything right - so it should be interesting.

13 down - 3 to go

GO PENS

WTF do we have to do??

Ok - this is where i bitch and whine - and if you're offended by strong language - leave.

What the fuck do we have to do to beat this team?

The Red Wings are obviously a great team, and its hard enough to beat them, but when you have to deal with different officiating than the rest of the year, AND the fact that the Red Wings seem to play with a different set of rules, they are pretty much unbeatable.

Thats right - unbeatable.

The Wings are MASTERS of interference and pick plays that unbelievably NEVER get called.

They are the best consistent cheaters I've ever seen - Stay classy Detroit.

Add to the mix 5 shots that have beaten "awesome" goalie Chris Osgood, and this gets ugly - fast.
It just seems the NHL is doing everything they can to fuck this up.

I'm even pissed about Geno being allowed to play game 3 after getting an instigating penalty late in the game - by NHL rules that is a 1 game suspension.

What is the point of having any rules if none of them are enforced....?

The Wings scored two goals immediately after blatant penalties were not called.

The one where Hossa hooked, then slashed and broke Dupuis stick was especially painful for every hockey fan who doesn't cheer for Detroit, and probably for a lot that do - they know they got away with one for sure.

That was the closest I've ever come to throwing a beer bottle at 85mph at my 62' TV.

I see now why Red Wings fans are so fucking smug and cocky - because their team gets way with shit no other team does.

Bylsma has taken the high road thus far, but I think he needs to unleash hell on the officials hardcore - take the fine, but at least you're getting heard. Don't go down without a fight.

We now see the true integrity of this league.

The NHL is trying to gain a following in the States, but if I was a new watcher, I would be turned off by the officiating and lack thereof.

Bettmen better do something about it

A high stick on Stall that was AMAZINGLY not called - it drew blood - should have been a 5 minute penalty - shocking


Don't see the puck anywhere


The Pens are doing everything they need to do to win this series - they could very easily be up 2-0 coming home.
Everybody seems to be bagging on Fleury, but in my opinion he has given up one bad goal in 2 games - I think he is outplaying Osgood who could easily have 7 goals against right now.

They've played two very good road games, but have nothing to show for it except for the media's retarded Crosby-Abdelkader scoring comparisons.

I have watched almost every game Evgeni Malkin has ever played, and I have NEVER seen him come close to loosing it like he did last night - this is how frustrated he and the rest of the team has become.
They used to fittingly call Pat Verbeek the "Little Ball of Hate" - well, last night I saw a big ball of hate going after Zetterburg...


Usually after a few Penguins losses, I, like every other Pens fan, can point out several things that need to be done to improve play - but this time I can only think of one - that's how well I think the Pens are playing right now.

This is a common sight unfortunatly:


I don't recall any Penguins camped out in front of Osgood, and that has to happen - Kunitz - thats why we traded to get you (one of the reasons, anyway)

I'm pretty sure this is the first productive thing Gonchar has done this series - FUCK

Call it what you will - bitching, whining, whatever - it is what it is.

But if the Red wings are going to win the Cup, can't we at least have everybody play by the same rules - you know the ones that are supposed to be enforced FOR BOTH FUCKING TEAMS?

We can still win this series - the bounces will start going our way, and I think we can go back to Detroit tied at 2 - then its anyones series.

SCF Game 1: Good to be Lucky

And I mean lucky.

As per any real sports fan, after I watched Detroit beat Pittsburgh in Game one of the Stanley Cup Final, I read the game recaps from various NHL internet sites to see different peoples take on the same thing I watched.....

I think I may have watched a different game than everyone else last night.

I've consistently been reading how Detroit "overwhelmed" the Pens on the "strength" of Chris Osgood's goaltending.

Bullshit

Pittsburgh outplayed Detroit in their own building - they played an awesome road game - but the hockey gods were not smiling on Pittsburgh, as Osgood was VERY fortunate last night.


I'm not going to whine about the puck being covered on Osgood's back in the crease - he's just lucky it LANDED ON HIS BACK, and not the back of the net.
Pittsburgh had several spectacular chances, but the puck just seemed to always roll off their sticks...


Another thing thats burns me is the fact the Osgood was awarded the 1st star of the game .

GGRRRR


Osgood DID make a great save on a Malkin breakaway shot that was going top shelf - so I will give him credit on that for sure.

Again, luck is with the Wings in the way Mr. Fleury is putting pucks into the net himself, in shades of last years finals. The Wings only scored one legitimate goal, and that was by a fourth liner I've never heard of.
He's better figure out the boards or whatever the hell is troubling him and he better do it fast.
The Pens could have very easily won this game 4-1....



Pittsburgh could still take home ice advantage in this series with a victory tonight.

If they play the same game as last night, they will win.

A few notes:

- The faceoffs have got to get better - 30% is unnacepateble - I don't care if its on the road.
- I hate to say bench Gill, but the Wings are taking advantage of his slowness, and it will burn us.
- This Wings team looks beatable - probably because Hart trophy candidate Datsyuk is injured - we have to capitalize on this asap.
- Last night was the first time in the Penguins' last 11 games they didn't score in the third period.
- Game 1 winner has won 54 of 69 finals series since 1939.
- Gonchar HAS GOT TO STOP TRYING TO PASS THROUGH RED WINGS.... he must of gave the puck away 20 times - you're a veteran ... act like it..... !!@#^%@^@%^%$^#$%!
- It was awesome to see Orpik destroy Hossa in a clean brutal open ice hit.

I still think Pittsburgh can and will win this series - but they have to win tonight. I picked the Pens to win this series in 5 - I think it can still happen.

It is a must win situation already - thats how this Wings team rolls.

Again - apologies for not posting much - I'm studying for exams, and it is pretty much taking up all of my time - will post when I can.

GO PENS

Pens sweep Canes - Bring on Detroit (again)

You kinda just knew Pittsburgh was going to win this one.

Carolina had the look of someone that's been beaten up pretty good, but you just wonder if there's one good punch left in him.

In this case.....no

Carolina came out strong, and slipped one by Marc-Andre, but every time the Canes pressed after that, Fleury was there to answer the call.
Strong game by Talbot with 3 points - one was of the fluke variety, but we'll take them all.
Geno had is multi-point game streak broken at six - two sort of Gretzky's record of 8..very impressive indeed.

After the game Crosby touched and picked up the Prince Of Wales trophy after not even touching it at all last year...I'm glad he did. Mario picked it up both times they won the trophy, and of course Pitt won the cup both years.

At the beginning of the playoffs I wanted someone to knock Detroit out, but now I'm happy the Pens will get to face the best in the league - and hopefully win the Cup in front of Mr. Hossa


Short post tonight - have to study.

more to come 12 down - 4 to go

GO PENS

Malkin and Crosby shine - Pens up 2 - 0

Well - so much for Cam Ward's game 2 winning streak - Pittsburgh blew that out of the water thnx to Sid and Geno.
Both played better than usual (if possible) and seemed to be playing their own game against each other to see who could play better.

The Pens started the scoring, but the Canes answered Pittsburgh's first two goals with quick ones of their own, and scored to take a 3-2 lead after one period.

The Pens came out flying in the second, which resulted in a goal from "superstar" Max Talbot, with a nice feed from Geno.
Kunitz finally got off the playoff shneid scoring a nice goal with 7 seconds left in the period.
It was Kunitz's first goal in 24 games
Glad we don't have to hear about that little stat anymore..


Staal (Jordan) seemed to have a lot of chances, but I can't wait until he actually get some confidence in his offensive abilities and scores with a little regularity.

The third period was Geno time
The game was in doubt, and he took over the game - with extreme prejudice
The goal he scored - his third of the game - was a goal we will see in highlights for years to come.



Unreal

When I see Malkin play, I sometimes see Mario (the highest compliment you can give) and sometimes I see Jagr out there....

Unreal

The was some rough stuff at the end of the game - the Canes were trying to win something tonight
And guess what - Mr Miroslav Satan even fought!!!

And did well.


I like you as a player Mr. Sykora, but if Miro is gonna mix it up like this, you're not going to see the ice for the rest of the playoffs unless there is an injury.

Nice to see Satan has saved his best hockey for the playoffs.

The Pens have done their job, and won the first two games at home. Now they have to win at least one game in Carolina, and the series is very much in hand.

10 down - 6 to go

GO PENS

Pens win a nail biter - up 1-0 in series

WOOOOOO

What a freaking game


I haven't seen goaltending this good on both sides in a loong time. Fleury and Ward went save for save until Satan got the puck coming out of the penalty box - and made a killer move to beat Ward.


That seemed to light a massive fire under Pittsburgh, as they became relentless in the offensive zone. Geno got the Pens second goal in under 2 minutes, to really get the crowd into it.


Pittsburgh kept the pressure on the Canes for a while after that, but Ward made several spectacular saves.
I really think all those nice saves would have really taken the momentum away from most teams - and it did to a small degree - but Pitt held off the 'Canes with Fleury making several spectacular saves of his own.

The second period was pretty much like the first, with the goalies playing unbelievably....see a trend here?
Carolina's LaRose scored in the second, although the Pens outshot them 12-6.
This game turned out to be quite physical for two teams with "no rivalry"


Orpik and Cole went at each other throughout the game, until Cole left the game with an apparent knee injury after being hit by Matt Cooke.

They call carolina the Cardiac Kids because they seem to find a way to win late in games.

And they almost did it again in this game

Carolina scored on a powerplay late in the game with Ward on the bench - then they almost scored againon a goofy shoot in from center ice that Fleury somehow fought off.

I said this would be a tough series, and if this game is any indidcation, we are in for a doozy.

If you would have told me before this game that Satan and Boucher would have more impact on this game (in a positive way) I would not have believed you - hats off to them. Its nice to see Satan playing so well - he might just redeem himself with Penguins fans yet.

Thats not to say Crosby and Geno had bad games at all - they would each have had 2-3 points if the 'Canes tender wasn't on fire. Ward also stoned Guerin twice...

Penguins that really stood out for me tonight:

Kennedy, Boucher, Malkin, Orpik...and of course Fleury

Next Game Thursday (too long between games)

9 down - 7 to go

GO PENS

Caps win in OT - Series tied at 3-3

AAARRRGGGHHHHH

#$%^#^@#%&^&*%*%(^&*($^&#$%^&

Pens blew a golden chance to put away the Craps at home. The dominated the first period, out shooting Washington 18-5.
With the chances they had, they should have scored more than one goal.
I believe the turning point in the game was when the Pens couldn't score on the lengthy 5-3.
The Caps used that momentum to outplay Pittsburgh in the 2nd period, regardless of the goal Pitt scored late in the period.


Sid played awesomely in the third and finally scored with about four and a half minutes to play in regulation.
In OT, Pittsburgh never really got anything going (other than hitting the crossbar) and of course the Caps scored on a nice deflection by Steckel.


I dunno - there's three things that really piss me off right now:

1. The Pens blew it tonight - this doesn't bode well for Wednesday. If they thought tonight's game was tough, just wait until game 7

2. I'm going to miss half of game 7 because I'm going to a Fleetwood Mac concert

3. If Washington wins, Ovechkin will be called the next Messier because he "guaranteed" they would win the series after game 5...blech - that's all we need - to hear more crap about this monkey.

I'm not going to be like a typical Caps fan - I've been reading their message board after last game, and it was like rats jumping off a sinking ship.

With fan support like that, I'm not surprised the Caps never win anything...

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and predict the Pens win based on experience....Fleury has got to beat the inconsistent rookie Varlamov

Pens will win 4-3

Classic series either way

GO PENS

Pens win in OT - lead series 3-2

OK - I can breath now

The Pens pretty much played the perfect road game, taking home ice advantage from the Craps.
Nine different Pens have scored in this series - a big change from the Flyers series for sure.
By contrast, Ovechkin has scored 7 of the Craps 15 goals.

Top heavy much?


Fedotenko is on fire - playing very much like he did for the Lightning's 2004 Cup run - even Miro Satan is actually playing "playoff hockey".

And Staal....nice of you to show up - we missed you.

Notice I like posting pics of a Penguin player pasting Ovechkin..?

Every time OV gets nailed, an angel gets its wings

Ya - just like that - that's nice

Anyhoo, the Pens are set up nicely to win this series on home ice.
This has been a classic series - just like everyone thought it would be - its a shame Gonchar will probably miss the remainder of it.

Anyone else notice Ovechkin seems to always target fellow Russians?
I'm sure that will win him friends on the Olympic team...lol

On CBC tonight they were talking about how OV plays like Wendel Clark, and that if he continues to play that way, he will have a short career - I only mention that because I've been saying that for almost 2 years.
That's my Don Cherry moment of the night...

I, for one, hope he doesn't have a short career, because it is good to have someone to hate - it's healthy i think..

That's what I like to tell myself anyway.

Oh - and everyone is saying that the winning goal was a lucky bounce - honestly who cares - it was a goal.
Chances are good Crosby - who was wide open - would have buried it anyway


Game 6 is Monday night

7 down - 9 to go

GO PENS